| |
|
SAULONG TARGETS UPSET IN IBF WORLD TITLE BOUT
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Wed, 28 Feb 2018

Under the radar contender Ernesto Saulong will try to beat the odds when he fights IBF world junior featherweight world champ Ryosuke Iwasa of Japan on March 1 in Tokyo.
The 28 year old Saulong (21W-2L-1D,8KO?s) is ranked number 13 in the January 2018 ratings of the International Boxing Federation. He has benefited from being one of the sparring partners of IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas last January. Ancajas, who is a southpaw like Iwasa, was preparing for his February title defense against Mexican Israel Gonzalez in his secluded training camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
Joven Jimenez, who trains Ancajas, is also with Saulong for this crucial fight. ?Maganda ang kondisyon, handing handa na.? Jimenez told this writer in a phone conversation. (He is in good condition and is ready.)
?Kumakain pa nga, walang problema sa timbang pag weigh-in.? Jimenez added. (He is even eating well. There will be no problems during the weigh-in.)
Iwasa (24W-2L,16KO?s), also 28 years old, will be making the first defense of the title he won by sixth round TKO against countryman Yukinori Oguni.
Iwasa has a long list of Filipino boxers that he has beaten ? Marvin Tampus, Jerope Mercado, Mark John Yap, Jecker Buhawe, Richard Pumicpic, Ricardo Roa, Marlon Arcilla, Dennis Tubieron and Glen Medura.
Three years ago, Saulong beat fellow Filipino Alie Laurel for the WBC International bantamweight title by unanimous decision in a fight held in Kunming, China.
In his next overseas stint, Saulong would lose to Lwandile Sityatha by unanimous verdict for the WBO International belt in South Africa.
Saulong will be looking to join the list of Filipino boxers who captured world titles on Japanese soil ? Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Morris East, Gerry Pe?alosa, Luisito Espinosa, Joma Gamboa and Milan Melindo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City , Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale , Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’ , Fri, 08 May 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Thu, 07 May 2026Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions , Thu, 07 May 2026FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 May 2026Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta , Thu, 07 May 2026Jonas Magpantay bags P300,000 with Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title win By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 06 May 2026Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Wed, 06 May 2026Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland! , Wed, 06 May 2026Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54 , Tue, 05 May 2026Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Yanong arrives in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN , Mon, 04 May 2026Parade of champs By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|